A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS HUMAN EMBRYO AND HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH IN MICHIGAN

The proposed constitutional amendment would:

* Expand use of human embryos for any research permitted under federal law subject to the following limits: the embryos –

– are created for fertility treatment purposes;

– are not suitable for implantation or are in excess of clinical needs;

– would be discarded unless used for research;

– were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment.

* Provide that stem cells cannot be taken from human embryos more than 14 days after cell division begins.
* Prohibit any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for stem cell research.
* Prohibit state and local laws that prevent, restrict or discourage stem cell research, future therapies and cures.

Here is the amendment:

INITIATIVE PETITION AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

A Proposal to Amend the Constitution of the State of Michigan by adding a new Article I, Section 27 as follows:

Article I, Section 27.

(1) Nothing in this section shall alter Michigan’s current prohibition on human cloning.

(2) To ensure that Michigan citizens have access to stem cell therapies and cures, and to ensure that physicians and researchers can conduct the most promising forms of medical research in this state, and that all such research is conducted safely and ethically, any research permitted under federal law on human embryos may be conducted in Michigan, subject to the requirements of federal law and only the following additional limitations and requirements:

(a) No stem cells may be taken from a human embryo more than fourteen days after cell division begins; provided, however, that time during which an embryo is frozen does not count against this fourteen day limit.

(b) The human embryos were created for the purpose of fertility treatment and, with voluntary and informed consent, documented in writing, the person seeking fertility treatment chose to donate the embryos for research; and

i. the embryos were in excess of the clinical need of the person seeking the fertility treatment and would otherwise be discarded unless they are used for research; or

ii. the embryos were not suitable for implantation and would otherwise be discarded unless they are used for research.

(c) No person may, for valuable consideration, purchase or sell human embryos for stem cell research or stem cell therapies and cures.

(d) All stem cell research and all stem cell therapies and cures must be conducted and provided in accordance with state and local laws of general applicability, including but not limited to laws concerning scientific and medical practices and patient safety and privacy, to the extent that any such laws do not:

i. prevent, restrict, obstruct, or discourage any stem cell research or stem cell therapies and cures that are permitted by the provisions of this section; or

ii. create disincentives for any person to engage in or otherwise associate with such research or therapies or cures.

(3) Any provision of this section held unconstitutional shall be severable from the remaining portions of this section.

that's funny that you posted that since I just read the language on http://madanthony.publius.org/ and was wondering the same thing. I headed to the best place for factual information, GL4x4 for guidance....

I'm not sure, but I'm leaning toward supporting this. I have briefly read the "pros" and "cons" and I'm thinking that this may be in the better interest of the state.

Will it lead to cloning? Not so sure, but I guess there's always a chance. However, if it can help find cures and better treatments for diseases that currently aren't curable, then I think it is worth pursuing.

that's funny that you posted that since I just read the language on http://madanthony.publius.org/ and was wondering the same thing. I headed to the best place for factual information, GL4x4 for guidance....

I'm not sure, but I'm leaning toward supporting this. I have briefly read the "pros" and "cons" and I'm thinking that this may be in the better interest of the state.

Will it lead to cloning? Not so sure, but I guess there's always a chance. However, if it can help find cures and better treatments for diseases that currently aren't curable, then I think it is worth pursuing.

This is what I'm confused about:

"
(c) No person may, for valuable consideration, purchase or sell human embryos for stem cell research or stem cell therapies and cures."